Kwara government sues former governor Saraki for alleged cyberbullying and defamation

Former Senate President Dr Bukola Saraki has been taken to court over accusations of cyberbullying and defamation by Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq.

Governor Abdulrazaq claimed that Saraki’s social‑media post dated 17 April 2026, which responded to a prior press statement from the Kwara State government, damaged his reputation and amounted to defamation and cyberbullying.

A senior legal team representing Saraki appeared in the Kwara State High Court in Ilorin on Wednesday to defend the former Senate President and the state’s two‑term governor.

Abdulrazaq’s principal grievance was that “by questioning his educational qualifications in the social media post, Dr Saraki’s statement was capable of causing a breakdown of public peace in the state.”

The governor’s counsel, speaking before Justice M. O. Folorunso, sought a bench warrant and a court order compelling Saraki to appear.

In contrast, Saraki’s lawyers argued that the prosecution had improperly filed the case and that the High Court lacked jurisdiction, as the matter struck at the core of the dispute. They maintained that Saraki’s posts on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) were an exercise of his freedom of speech and right of reply, given his role as opposition leader to the governor’s party.

After hearing both sides, the court adjourned the case to 3 July 2026 for a ruling on the parties’ applications.

Meanwhile, Saraki, through spokesperson Abdulganiyu Abdulqadir, urged his supporters across the state and beyond to remain calm and law‑abiding.

The former Senate President assured the public that any attempts to intimidate or silence him would be thwarted, and he pledged to speak out on matters of public interest. He added that the current administration has only 11 months in office, implying that the alleged oppressive tactics would soon be overcome.